Test Results - 4221, 4228, 4248, 4251, 3017, 9095, 8800

Results Definition:

• XX-XX = Measured signal strength level

• 0-XX-XX = Signal locks on briefly but keeps dropping out

• 0-50 = Signal was detected but not able to lock

• N/A = No signal detected

Note: Signal level refers to the Dish 6000 indicator which measures the signal quality based on percentage of errors. As long as the indicator stays above 48-50%, the signal will lock. I assume that if you have over 50% errors, the Dish 6000 does not have enough good signal to decode properly. A reading of 100% would indicate no errors in signal. I have found that at 47% I will see pixelation in the picture and below 46% the picture will drop out completely.

Date: 04/24/01

Updated list with the addition of the 4228 and 4221. I was very disappointed by the performance of these antennas in severe multipath. I was hoping to get better reception and more channels, but the 4228 could not even get KNBC. The 4221 could not get any local channels. I only re-tested the 4228, 4221, 4248. I tested them all within 1 hour and on three seperate days, with and without amp. Results were always the same. Without amp, signal strength is less, with more drop outs.

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****Channel Master 4248 (Long Range Yagi) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...62-63, solid signal, no dropouts
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...58-59, decent signal, some dropouts
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...0-50
KCBS 60...0-49-57, can lock in on good days with antenna angled 10 degrees up?
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...74-79, very strong signal
KFMB 55...65-72, strong signal

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****Channel Master 4228 (8-Bay Bowtie) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...52-53, steady signal, but lower power
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...69-76, steady signal
KFMB 55...68-72, fairly steady signal, some drop outs

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****Channel Master 4221 (4-Bay Bowtie) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...0-50
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...85-87, strong signal, even gets 64-68 without amp?
KFMB 55...64-68, fluctuating signal, drops out when veiwing

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****Winegard 9095 (Long Range Yagi) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...48-51, steady signal, marginal strength
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...46-60, no lock, rapid fluctuations 
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...N/A
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...68-71, very steady signal, no dropouts
KFMB 55...48-54, locks in, but drops out 3-4 times a minute

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****Winegard 8800 (8-Bay Bowtie) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...0-50
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...0-50
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...64-72, good signal
KFMB 55...68-70, fair signal in good weather, drops out in bad weather

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****Channel Master 4251 (Long Range Parabolic) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...0-50
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...0-50
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...75-78, steady signal
KFMB 55...53-55, drops out 3 times a minute

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****Channel Master 3017 (Medium Range Yagi) With CM-7775 Pre-amp

MT. WILSON, LOS ANGELES, DIST= 15.5 MILES

KTLA 31...N/A
KCOP 32...N/A
KNBC 36...0-50
KCAL 43...N/A
KABC 53...N/A
KCET 59...N/A
KCBS 60...0-50
KTTV 65...0-50

MT. SOLEDAD, SAN DIEGO, DIST= 113 MILES

KGTV 25...56-64, good signal, can drop out in bad weather
KFMB 55...40-50, can lock in good weather only

Conclusion:

• 4248 best for multipath rejection, good long distance signal strength.
• 4228 ok antenna, but did not work as well as the 4248 in multipath conditions.
• 4251 best long distance capability, but not good for multipath.
• 4221 could not lock in any multipath signals, ok for line of sight stations.
• 9095 Winegard quality, but not as good as 4248 in severe multipath.
• 8800 high quality construction, but average performance.
• 3017 Good medium sized UHF/VHF antenna when used with a clear line of sight.